"I want to say there's a tremendous convergence of views," Sarkozy said during a joint news conference through an interpreter. "(And) a tremendous sense of impatience or looking forward to the great American democracy choosing its president so that (the United States and Europe) can do things together ... on climate change, on reforming world institutions, on peace in the world, on injecting more ethics into financial capitalism."

Obama, winding down his fact-finding trip to the Middle East and Europe, said the United States and Europe "can and will accomplish far more when we join together in a common cause."

The likely Democratic presidential candidate said he and Sarkozy discussed "common security challenges," including Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.

Obama said they also discussed the importance of addressing climate change and energy security.

"I think that the American people are ready to take serious steps," Obama said. "Many of the countries of Europe have been in the lead on these issues."